Betsy Heibler, the frontwoman for Sugar Stems, wants to be abundantly clear that no earthworms were harmed in the photo shoot for the local band's latest album cover.

"A garden theme was something I personally really liked, so we ran with it," Heibler, 30, said about the artwork for the sophomore album "Can't Wait." "(The album photo) involved dirt and flowers and earthworms." | Dec. 19, 2012»Read Full Article

I'm a year-end entertainment list geek. Have been since I was a kid. I wouldn't just obsessively comb through every list I could get my hands on. I'd devote hours drafting up nominees and winners for a fictitious awards ceremony, my own one-man people's choice awards.

But in my years of personal-turned-professional list-making, this list of the year's 10 best albums was the hardest to put together and the nicest problem I've ever had. | Dec. 19, 2012»Read Full Article(34)

From the subtle poetry of Field Report to the shaggy pop-rock of Jaill to the intense electronic beats of Lorn, these three acts - which all had albums released by record labels this year - displayed to locals and outsiders alike the diversity of Milwaukee music. Geography and originality are practically all they had in common.

"Field Report," Jaill's "Traps," and Lorn's "Ask the Dust" all made my top 10 Milwaukee album list this year, as did several self-releases that rivaled, and in many cases surpassed, albums with major-label support. In a just world, all of these artists would have record deals, and perhaps some day, their big break will come. In the meantime, they're ours to treasure. | Dec. 19, 2012»Read Full Article

In the Guardian, Dorian Lynskey offers a terrific backgrounder, with comments from most of the principals, on how the Pogues created their masterful Christmas song, 'Fairytale of New York.' This 4-minute Christmas suite is 25 years old now, but its popularity continues to grow, even though it's a melancholy tale of lovers who may or may not survive another Christmas together. | Dec. 19, 2012»Read Full Blog Post(1)

You would have to be lacking a window or the Internet to have missed yesterday's snow, which snapped a 10-month snowless streak. But that was a prelude to what the weather models were projecting last night: a calm followed by a "powerful low" and "an abundant lift" of moisture, or what WTMJ's Storm Team was calling a major winter storm that should get started Wednesday night and last into Thursday.

The question is, what will you do with this bit of calm? How will you spend your stormy night? | Dec. 19, 2012»Read Full Blog Post